How can one begin to describe the disappointment when they are harmed by a nonprofit due to their refusal to operate in accordance with the charitable purpose or purposes outlined in its application for recognition of tax-exempt status (Form 1023) in addition to violating fiduciary duty(s) by acting solely in the best interests of their own personal interests and gain?
Yet this is the case with Fractured Atlas when they were contacted by and agreed to a meeting with one of our Grant Applicants.
In this case the applicant had already admitted to using our merchandise (VIP Invite with "Non Refundable Disclaimer" - http://jazzforpeace.org/capetownevent.pdf) to collect the funds which enabled them to "confirm their event with funds ALREADY raised" for their outstanding cause http://jazzforpeace.org/jumpstartagreementrfproductions.pdf) thereby completing the transaction for services rendered.
Yet instead of "Empowering artists, arts organizations" as Fractured Atlas claims to be doing in their dog & pony show mission statement, they instead seized the opportunity to throw our 15 years of hard work, dedication, and unprecedented achievements under a bus just so they could court them as a potential fee generating client clearly violating their fiduciary obligations of Tax Exemption while actually "advising" them to go forward with all kinds of claims against our legitimate program.
Here is just ONE of over 850 examples (see them all here - https://jazzforpeace.wordpress.com/about/) of what we do:
"THANK YOU JAZZ FOR PEACE FOR A WONDERFUL PERFORMANCE! Oh I really can’t thank you enough! We all had such a wonderful time. I can’t tell
you how many parents from the Mason-Rice School were enthusiastic about what I do with Boston Arts After School- and everyone was so impressed with Rick’s performance and the whole Jazz for Peace event. It was great to raise money, but more importantly, I really feel some significant awareness was
raised about BAASO among all these people in the community in which I work- who now (after such an awesome event) will no doubt be spreading the word to their colleagues, friends and family! The other board members and I would be very excited to have you back (if you would be interested!) to do more events in the future. As Boston Arts After School is a growing organization, I can only see these events getting bigger and better each time!
You certainly helped give us the “kick-start” we needed I already updated the website events page with some great pics. Please do check it out, and our
homepage is a big THANK YOU to Jazz for Peace! Thanks again for everything! Looking forward to working with you in the future, ~ Christen
Mailler, Founding Director, Boston Arts After School Organization
Unfortunately for Fractured Atlas, the scamming organization that they were "advising" was actually STUPID enough to post ENTIRE emails to and from Fractured Atlas in their complaints which showed that numerous Fractured Atlas staff members were in the loop such as Holly S, Chair, Dianne D**, Senior Program Director, Fiscal Sponsorship,Tim C*, Deputy Director, Nathan Z**, Program Specialist etc. and thereby fully aware of their own refusal to operate in accordance with the charitable purpose or purposes outlined in its application for recognition of tax-exempt status (Form 1023).
Instead of "empowering", Fractured Atlas staff members seemed giggly with pride over their ability to misuse their paltry significance to clearly disenfranchise instead causing us to have to waste our time defending ourselves against the most frivolous claims you could possibly imagine!
"I contacted their Fiscal Sponsor ********* ***** and they told me what you will read below and that's the reason why I’m reaching out for you today."
Behavior eerily similar to a previous instance we had been made aware of where FA unnecessarily chose to CRUSH the spirit of a volunteer via a completely taken out of context and some would say erroneously enforced technicality.
This pathetic situation that Fractured Atlas created, inspired and enabled was finally irreversibly ruled in our favor by PayPal - https://jazzforpeace.org/paypalresponse.pdf
But not before significant damages were caused to us by the unabashed carelessness carried out by this orgy of hypocrisy.
Debra R Cerritelli, Senior Event Coordinator - Jazz for Peace™
FYI: In yet another amazing fact, the testimonial located above from the Boston Arts After School Organization is exactly the kind of Arts related organization that if located in NYC would quite possibly at some point in their journey pay fees to Fractured Atlas. While many other arts service organizations in other cities have made their members aware of this funding opportunity that was obtained by the organization in the testimonial above and 850 others, never once did it occur to Fractured Atlas to inform THEIR membership, even though funding for the arts during the past 15 years had been drying up in record proportions.
Fractured Atlas has been a godsend to the success and growth of
The Williamsburg Independent Film Festival, Inc. (www.willfilm.org),
since we joined in 2012
Thank you to all the staff and leadership!
Review from Guidestar
I work with and study a lot of nonprofits in the cultural world, and Fractured Atlas has always been my go-to example of an innovative, smart, responsive, nimble, and service-minded organization. I'm honored to be joining their board. But I held this opinion long before board membership was on the horizon. The organization brings an entrepreneurial spirit and a rigorous focus on value to all of its work. Through its emphasis on technology tools to reduce costs and increase access to artists and arts organizations, it has transformed how many artists and arts organizations perceive and accomplish their work. Whether through insurance programs, ticketing and constituent management systems, space-sharing and reservation systems, or a range of other services, Fractured Atlas makes life better for artists in every discipline. I'm deeply proud to be associated with them!
FA has been amazingly supportive and helpful navigating these waters. Not only did a bunch of them come see my show and support me in that way, but they are always courteous and willing to go an extra step when I'm staring at some form with a terrified and confused look on my face.
Mark Haris
http://www.desperatecomfort.com
I am an independent filmmaker in Western, NY. I am new to filmmaking and the process for raising funds is a tricky one. Fractured Atlas (FA) is a wonderful organization to help new artists 'learn the ropes' on how to raise funds, apply for grants and really get an advantage in a world where those advantages for the arts are shrinking. FA has a number of online resources that helped me learn, at my own pace, how to get the most out of their organization and the process at large. For me, the most valuable aspect of this organization is their member support services. They were always quick to respond to any questions I had and were always 'human' when trying to understand the difficulties we all face as struggling artists. Too many organizations that support the arts are disappearing. Fractured Atlas is one that will remain, because anything less would really be a crime.
Review from Guidestar
I was involved in a lawsuit over intellectual property, and I couldn't imagine how i would possibly handle the legal bills....until someone directed me to Fractured Atlas, as an organization through whom my friends and supporters would be able to make tax deductible donations which would help me meet my legal costs. Remarkable both in concept, and in practicality, as the good folks at Fractured Atlas were always (and still are!) direct, helpful, and available. I can't begin to sing their praises loudly enough....And I still use their services. (And by the way, we won the lawsuit.) I honestly feel I would not have gotten through that ordeal without Fractured Atlas. Bravo!
Fractured Atlas is a wonderful.. My theater company has been a member for 8 years. it has been a key building block in making our company what it is. We love Fractured Atlas.
Fractured Atlas is a lifeboat for artists during a time where programs are being slashed left and right. I raised enough money to produce a wonderful film and my donors were able to reap the benefits of a tax deduction. There were a few times when I needed the help of the FA staff and the response time was impressive. Not only did they address my questions in a fantastic amount of time - the staff really enjoyed it. Customer service, these days can really be a downer. The fine folks at Fractured Atlas love what they do and it shows. I thank them from the bottom of my heart. Without their passion for the arts, this world would be much less interesting.
Fractured Atlas is a great resource for artists. I'm currently Fiscally Sponsored through them, and have found their support staff consistently helpful and candid in their response to my questions. The resources and information they supply is really unparalleled. My only issue with them is their fiscal sponsorship program's inability to work with Kickstarter, as I have found Indiegogo to be a less than ideal venue for launching a successful, large-scale micro-finance campaign. Otherwise, their service is excellent and has exceeded my expectations.
We are a Production company based in NYC often needing insurance quotes, advice and insurance certificates the same day or within hours of our request. Before we started working with Fractured Atlas and their amazing Liability insurance team, we were unable to have our requests and concerns met, even in a timely fashion. The professionalism, understanding, attention to our needs and response time have been amazing. I try to recommend them and their other services as much as possible. Thanks Guys!!!!!!
I am the lead organizer for a grassroots, all-volunteer community music festival outside of the NY-area. Our event was first introduced to Fractured Atlas by our local artist alliance who partnered with FA to provide insurance to creative individuals and endeavors. We have found the Fractured Atlas's online interface and actual-human customer service (yes, speaking people still exist!) to be incredibly helpful and responsive. AND our event insurance rates were the lowest we found by far. Their willingness to partner with Indiegogo campaigns means that we'll most likely be switching to the FA 501(c)3 in the coming year. Thanks Fractured Atlas (and Nathan)!
Review from Guidestar
Fractured Atlas is not a good charity. It is simply a venue that collects monthly fees for its staff and then denies the very service it suggest fiscal sponsorship. We are group of blind individuals who paid a $95 membership fee and requested fiscal sponsor ship for culinary arts program for the blind. They refused and we feel they said they do not think blind culinary arts is a good program. We feel they have discriminated against us and that they should be shut down from fiscal sponsorship as they are not a true charitable cause. We did not ask them for money, just the oposit they ask people to pay monthly memebership fees and then do not serve the members needs for fiscal sponsorship.
Theresa Hubbard 01/18/2012
Hi Cynthia, I'm sorry that your project was not a good fit for the Fractured Atlas fiscal sponsorship program. As stated on our website, we will refund your dues if you are not happy with the membership. Your card has been refunded the full amount of the membership. Your project is incredibly worthwhile and I'm sure there is a sponsor out there that is a good fit for the work. I suggest checking out: www.fiscalsponsordirectory.org If you are interested in finding out the results of our research into the charitability of the culinary arts, I'll be happy to share that with you once we hear back from our legal council. Best, Dianne Debicella Fractured Atlas, Program Director, Fiscal Sponsorship
Theresa Hubbard 03/28/2012
Hi Kennon, Thanks for your kind words! We really admire Kickstarter and think their platform is great. Unfortunately, we haven't figured out a simple way to connect Fractured Atlas and Kickstarter. They use Amazon payments to accept pledges. Since we don't have a formal partnership like we do with IndieGoGo and RocketHub, projects would be charged 5% from Kickstarter, 6% from Fractured Atlas, and 3-5% from Amazon. We'd hate to see our projects lose such a huge percent of their hard earned funds. IndieGoGo and RocketHub have generously agreed to work with us to keep the 6% administrative fee from Fractured Atlas the same. We really value your feedback and our sorry that we don't offer Kickstarter as a crowdfunding option! Best, Dianne Debicella Program Director, Fiscal Sponsorship